We are seeking a highly organised and detail-oriented Research Grants Officer to support the management of a busy research funding portfolio. This role will work closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), finance teams, and external collaborators to ensure that research funding applications and awards are managed effectively from pre-award through to post-award stages.
Important: Applicants must have demonstrable experience using both X5 and Oracle R12. Applications without this experience will not be considered.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Award Support
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Assist in the preparation of research grant costings using the University’s costing tool X5, ensuring all applications comply with sponsor and University policies.
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Provide guidance and support to Principal Investigators during the preparation of funding applications.
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Work with PIs to complete sponsor application forms and liaise with external funding bodies where required.
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Coordinate with other University departments and external partner institutions to ensure accurate budgets are included in collaborative applications.
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Ensure all grant applications are accurate, fully documented, compliant with sponsor requirements, and submitted within University deadlines.
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Support research award set-up by checking project budget setups for accuracy within Oracle R12 and resolving any issues that arise.
Post-Award Management
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Develop a detailed understanding of research funders’ terms and conditions, departmental policies, and internal systems including X5 and Oracle R12.
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Monitor and review research project budgets, identifying variances and highlighting risks or issues to Principal Investigators.
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Analyse monthly grant expenditure and recommend corrective action where necessary.
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Use X5 to forecast project expenditure and re-cost salary allocations to identify over- or under-spends.
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Ensure funding availability prior to recruitment or contract extensions on research projects.
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Schedule regular meetings with PIs and project coordinators to review financial positions and advise on grant management procedures.
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Liaise with Research Accounts and finance teams to prepare and authorise statements of expenditure and final financial reports in line with sponsor requirements.
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Work with internal and external collaborators to resolve issues relating to multi-partner projects.
General Responsibilities
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Support the Research Grants and Contracts Manager in preparing research-related reports, presentations, and materials for staff and committees.
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Recommend and implement improvements to administrative processes that strengthen research project management.
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Maintain accurate documentation and ensure records are accessible to the Professional Services team.
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Attend meetings and contribute to discussions or preparation of supporting materials.
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Deputise for the Grants Manager when required.
Selection Criteria
Essential:
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Proven experience using X5 and Oracle R12 in a research administration or finance environment.
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Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
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Strong numeracy and the ability to analyse and interpret complex financial data